A new shop in Dublin city centre brings together four talented designers, writes DEIRDRE McQUILLAN
THESE MAY BE tough times for Irish fashion, but there is a positive energy around the opening of Bow, a new shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. It’s a bold but confident initiative in the present climate and is the result of a creative collaboration between four Dublin-based designers, Eilis Boyle, Mattie Doody, Wendy Crawford and Margaret O’Rourke (MoMuse jewellery), showcasing their own collections and that of Fair Trade pioneers People Tree, and introducing to Ireland for the first time the beautiful “eco-luxury” clothes of Swedish designer Camilla Norrback.
The four, who have shared space for some time in The Loft upstairs in the Powerscourt, have now taken wing and flown the coop so to speak, to their bright new premises on the ground floor in the former Eden shop. The windows display some of the more dramatic floor-length gowns of Doody and Boyle, but the different styles complement each other, and tie in well, as the title of the shop suggests.
For Dubliners, the shop provides an opportunity to see the full collections of the designers – the soft dresses and featherweight knits of Eilis Boyle (and her new cashmere coats and jackets), the classic but quirky creations of Matt Doody, the tweed cape coats of NCAD graduate and former TopShop style adviser Wendy Crawford, and Margaret O’Rourke’s MoMuse jewellery. O’Rourke and Doody will also use the shop as a work space and Doody’s sewing machine stands at the ready at one entrance for making clothes or tailoring adjustments. O’Rourke is also the agent for Paul Joe jewellery and the shop will stock a few signature pieces.
Prices range from relatively inexpensive upwards. At Eilis Boyle they start at €85 for a silk/cashmere scarf and go up to €450 for dresses and €1,300 for a handbeaded cashmere coat. Mattie Doody’s average price is around €850, but he is offering everything from a simple day dress in draped grey jersey for €150 up to €2,500 for a floor-length gown. Wendy Crawford’s coat capes are €275, and at MoMuse €35 will buy a pair of earrings and €250 a pearl strand necklace. People Tree’s grey dresses range from €75 to €140, and Camilla Norrback’s range starts at €90, with a “bow” dress for €120.